PETER WALES

Scott Allan is due to tell Hibs this morning that he wants to join Rangers before the transfer window closes, the Evening News has learned.

The Ibrox club have made two bids already for Allan – one of £175,000, another for £225,000, both in instalments – but Hibs have flatly rejected both, insisting that they want to keep last season’s Championship Player of the Year in Edinburgh.

The midfield ace has been kept abreast of the fast-developing transfer situation, but has been told Hibs have no intention of selling him to their biggest Championship rivals.

Nonetheless, Allan, a boyhood Rangers fan who still lives in Glasgow, will inform Hibs officials today that his preference is to play at Ibrox this season rather than at Easter Road. However, the Evening News understands that, at this stage, the 23-year-old won’t submit a formal transfer request. His wishes will only be conveyed verbally.

Allan’s stance will put him on a collision course with his current employers, who have been irked by Rangers’ advances and derisory offers for the player.

Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster and her fellow directors have given both bids the short shrift, agreeing within seconds there was no other decision to be made.

Hibs are determined not to be “pushed about and bullied” by Rangers and they are angered that the Glasgow outfit appear to be seeking to undermine and weaken them ahead of tomorrow’s Petrofac Training Cup clash between the clubs.

Yesterday, head coach Alan Stubbs “categorically” insisted Allan would not be going to Rangers in wake of the initial bid. The head coach spoke to Allan regarding the Gers’ initial approach yesterday and is expected to reiterate Hibs’ situation despite Allan’s motivation to move west.

Speaking before Rangers’ second effort to lure Allan away, Stubbs said: “We were very up-front. I’ve spoken to Scott and told him exactly the situation, that there has been an offer and that is has been rejected.

As everyone knows, Allan is central to Hibs’ hopes of clinching promotion at the second time of asking and, to that end, Stubbs insisted Rangers would be the last club to which they’d consider selling.

Adamant Allan would be selling himself short by becoming new Ibrox boss Mark Warburton’s latest signing as English Premier League clubs will be chasing his signature next summer, Stubbs said: “Our stance is very strong – we are not prepared to sell Scott Allan.

“We are trying to put together a team which we feel will have a chance of being close for promotion this season.

“Scott is fundamental to what we want to achieve. You don’t sell your best players. No matter who you are, you don’t sell your best players, especially to your closest rivals.”

Hibs are prepared to let Allan leave for nothing at the end of the season rather than cave in to Rangers, Stubbs saying: “Scott has got 12 months left on his contract and we as a club are prepared to let him run it down.

“I feel, potentially, he has an option at the end of this season to be playing at the top level. I honestly believe he can play in the Premier League in England. I can’t say that about everybody – he’s got a fantastic opportunity.

“If he can play even better this season then he could get an even better Premier League club.”